His childhood was spent on the family farm Northeast of Potwin. It was there he learned to work. At 5, his first job was operating and closing the field gates for the work horses to pull the wagons through. He earned five cents a day and cookies from his mother's always full cookie jar. Charles attend Potwin schools, graduating from Potwin High School in 1948.

Charles graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Business. At KU he was a pitcher on the KU baseball team and a member of Navy ROTC. After graduation he served in the U.S. Navy for 9 years, serving in the Korean War aboard an aircraft carrier on the Philippine Sea. He was a naval aviator in squadrons in Norfolk, Va., Kingsville, Texas, Pensacola, Fla., Jacksonville, Fla., and Guantanamo, Cuba during Fidel Castro's takeover. He flew 29 different models of aircraft including single and multi engine props, seaplane and 19 different jet aircraft. In 1960 Charles contracted polio while in the service. He became 100% disabled and was wheelchair bound thereafter. He retired from the Navy with the rank of Lt. Commander.

Charles was united in marriage to Phyllis Jensin in 1954. They had four children, Robert A. King, William D. King, Terry A. King Joos and Jill C. King Webster. He was proceeded in death by his parents; sister, Eleanor M. (King) Meyer; brothers, Elwood C. King and Robert M. King. His brother, Willard J. King survived him by 1 day. Charles was also preceded in death by his son Robert and his two daughters Terry and Jill. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis J. King of the home; his son, Bill (Leticia) of Albuquerque, N.M.; granddaughters, Dr. Christy King, Allison King, Loni Jakubowskij and Anglela Zamarron; two great-granddaughters; and several neices and nephews.

After rehabiliation Charles graduated from the University of Arizona Law School. He practiced law for 30 years specializing in family, estate planning and busines law.

Charles King was active politically in the Republican party in Arizona, serving as precinct committeeman, County Chairman and two terms as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives and an unsucesssful candidate for Governor. Charles was member of many organizations.He was a member of Rincon Rotary Club for over 30 years, a founding member of the Pima Air Museum, a 12-year member of the Pima County Planning and Zoning Commission. Other memberships include Masonic Order Lodge 56, Sabbar Shrine, Scottish Rite, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Arizona Historical Museum and the Association of Naval Aviators.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Trinity Episcopal Church in El Dorado. Kirby Morris Funeral is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in McGill Cemetery, south of Potwin. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Polio Plus, a program to stop polio worldwide Donations may be sent in care of Rincon Rotary Club, P.O. Box 14433, Tucson, AZ 85732-4433.